Post by Seanstone on Mar 3, 2013 20:06:50 GMT -5

Amanda and I bought two kayaks this weekend. I got a malibu x-13 and amanda got an Ascend fs12t. We already mounted rod holders for catfishing. We debated on getting a bigger boat, but after much research we found that we could access over 300 miles of creeks/rivers within an hours drive that cannot be accessed with any other boats due to shallow waters and limited/or no boat ramps. Where a bigger boat is only going to allow us to fish the Ohio River in windy conditions. So 300 miles of nearly unfished rivers it was. We plan on fishing out of yaks for cats only under certain conditions, and using them to get to bank spots 90 percent of the time...and then putting spreads out on those log filled outside bends. The ones you dream about. lol

Post by Seanstone on Mar 3, 2013 21:07:55 GMT -5

Jordan, I had someone give me advice on what he thought I should get based on what we fish for.....which was pretty cool of him. I then watched a few guys fish in the ocean for massive tuna, sailfish, etc. I then started researching what guys who fish freshwater giants use, and they all fished from the Sit on top style kayaks. So it was apparent that if I wanted to fish for cats, or giant carp from the yak that I would need a sit on top style kayak. Although I don't think we'll fish for flathead from the kayaks unless we have to....for example if the banks are too steep to fish a deep hole, or the rivers running high into the trees, stuff like that....we can fish for big cats from them.

As far as what specific models we got, I stated browsing the web and found that ascend was making affordable kayaks targeted specifically for anglers. I then looked into them. I had initially planned on getting 2 of the ascend fs12t kayaks...the ones Amanda got. However after more research I found that they had a max weight capacity of 350lbs. I'm 270 in the winter 240-250 in the summer. Add a 25lb tackle box, 10lbs or rods, 10lbs of clothes, 10lbs of food, a five gallon bucket of bait at 50lbs, 10lbs of anchors, etc. all together i'm going to be close to 370lbs. so I needed a little more capacity. I began doing more research and found a few yaks that I wanted (Ocean Prowler Big Game, Malibu Stealth 12), I then gave up and decided to go to bass pro and pick up Amandas stuff and then get mine later.

However they had a malibu x-13 which had a max capacity of 450lbs. which is a $1000 kayak, but it was on sale for $699. It was a deal I couldnt pass up.

Kip, I'm going to get one if I don't like using mine without it. They are around $125, but I think it will be well worth it.

Post by bassmassey on Mar 3, 2013 21:56:40 GMT -5

nice lookin rigs sean. I gotta good buddy that kayak fishes quite a bit. He get in some kinda online kayak tournament every year. it's multi species too, right down your alley..........i can hollar at him and ask him what webpage it is off of if you'er interested.

Post by bobbybobber on Mar 3, 2013 22:07:10 GMT -5

i got a fs12 sit in ,wish i would of got the t ,but mine stays dry in winter with a skirt one thing i will say is if you fish some shallow creeks with riffles they wont go as shallow as a canoe be ready to jump off ,and invest in some float for your gear,incase you flip,and the outrigger stablizers are awesome for when fighting a big fish but cheaper to make yourself very easy also

Post by Seanstone on Mar 3, 2013 22:38:51 GMT -5

Kayak wars sound right massey? We thought about doing it, i think we'd do extremely well if i wanted to invest the time. There are monthly caps on points per species and i think we could get our limits on a half dozen each month. Not to mention that i think we could set regional records in the carp, channel catfish, freshwater drum, and longnose gar. All of these we would have beat last year from the jon boat. Its a pretty big tournament with 1300 members .....would be fun.

Bobby, i was hoping to go through riffles pretty easily...so i'm kinda bummed to hear that. I might have to wait till april to start fishing the smaller creeks cause those creeks stay cold for a long time. From what i have heard its almost impossible ti tip a sit on top kayak...most likely the angler falls off and the yak stays afloat. I plan on straping all my rods and gear in. I put a quantum big cat 7ft. 10in. With an abu 7000 in my gator hatch, so i can always put a few rods in the kayak.

Do you like to fight fish on anchor or free floating. I was thinking about putting a float on my anchor lines and unclipping anchors to figh fish. I then thought that i'd probably just get pulled into structure. Whats your thoughts?

Post by bobbybobber on Mar 4, 2013 5:12:39 GMT -5

i dont even use my anchor any more unless i find a big piece of cover that i want to fish a bunch,i drift baits with floats about a 1ft off the bottom, i never had any real big fish on mine yet that big water on the potomac scares the crap out of me,you'll find what works for you

Post by Catfishrollo on Mar 4, 2013 9:54:56 GMT -5

Very Nice!!! No doubt that will allow ya to get into some skinny waters for sure! And would def. be a blast to have a big ole kitty drag ya around also! I like it. Look forward to some good reports and cool pictures from you two. rollo

Post by banksidebandit on Mar 5, 2013 17:05:10 GMT -5

Post by katfish on Mar 5, 2013 17:38:52 GMT -5

SeanIn Oct Mmagis brought his smaller kayak in his boat for a trial.We wanted to see if the kayak was a practical alternative for dropping baits.

Because of manuverablitily and shallow water he was able to drop baits faster with the kayak than I was with the little boat and trolling motor. He said he thought his larger kayak would prove even better at setting out baits because there was more room for the bait bucket inside.

We spent the rest of the night discussing if he would get into the yak to land a big flathead